Washington Nationals

Opening Day Projection: 75-87

September 7, 2009 Projection: 61-101

The Nationals came into this season with some upcoming talent although not enough to make noise in the National League. Nick Johnson is always a steady player when healthy, Adam Dunn hits the ball a ton, and Elijah Dukes has a world of talent, if he can stay focused. John Lannan and Jordan Zimmermann were seen as solid young starters that would perform well, while Joe Beimel and Steven Shell could be solid arms out of the bullpen. They were nothing spectacular, but were supposed to have some good pieces.

Positives from the season:

· Jesus Flores looks like a good hitter, if he can stay healthy he’ll be behind the plate for many years.

· Ryan Zimmerman is having a healthy year, he got his new contract, and has been playing as well as the Nationals built him up to be.

· Cristian Guzman has been healthy for most of the season and has been a good catalyst for the Nationals offense.

· As much of a disaster Austin Kearns’ numbers were, he was as productive as a sub .200 hitter could be.

· Willie Harris, although he’s had limited playing time, has been a very good role player for the Nationals and is versatile.

· Josh Willingham did not have the starting job on opening day, but since he’s been given an everyday role, he’s made the most of it having a very productive year.

· Nyjer Morgan, since his trade from the Pirates, has been a productive top of the order hitter until his season ending injury.

· John Lannan has been a solid pitcher all season. He’s been as good as anticipated.

· Mike MacDougal, Tyler Clippard, and Sean Burnett have been solid pieces in the Nationals bullpen.

Negatives from the season:

· Jesus Flores came in as the starting catcher for the Nationals and was performing better than anticipated for 2009. However, his season was shortened because of a stress fracture in his shoulder and did not play for 3 months.

· Elijah Dukes still has tons of potential, but not living up to it.

· Jordan Zimmermann was not as good as the Nationals had hoped when he first came up. He has been shut down and has undergone Tommy John surgery.

· Shairon Martis could not stay in the majors and was disappointing.

· Scott Olsen struggled in his first year with the Nationals and has season ending shoulder surgery.

· Ross Detwiler, Craig Stammen, J.D. Martin, Collin Balester, and Livan Hernandez do not look like answers to a starting rotation.

· Nationals bullpen was a constant rotation of arms. Saul Rivera, Garrett Mock, Steven Shell, and Jason Bergmann have not been overly exciting.

Hitting is not the problem with the Nationals, but other than John Lannan, they have no one to pitch.